Thought some of you might be interested in some recent interesting patients of mine. One I have posted about with several questions, one is a very new patient (born 2 days ago.) I feel sometimes like I deal with an awful lot of breastfeeding problems, so when I have some successes, it sure makes my day! The mom I have posted about is involved in a divorce case. She is exclusively breastfeeding her youngest child, age 10 weeks. Her attorney has been very unhelpful in advocating for her, and her ex-husband was requesting overnights and weekends. I posted here asking for help writing a letter to the court. I was pointed to Elizabeth Baldwin's website, and using some info there, I wrote a letter to the judge requesting that the breastfeeding relationship be respected and encouraged. There is a strong family history of asthma and allergy, so breastfeeding is very important to this infant. The judge read my letter and denied the father's request for overnights and weekends, and instead ordered short visits, and for the dad to come to the baby. This order is temporary, though, with the divorce case to be heard in 1 month. Mom was thrilled, though, and very relieved as well to be able to continue breastfeeding. I was really nervous about writing such a letter, as I've never written to a judge before, but am pleased with the outcome. The other patient, whom I delivered 2 days ago, is such a good success story so far, that he has cheered me up greatly. Mom has chronic hypertension, last baby was born at 30 wks, 2 1/2 lbs, after an abruption and severe pre-eclampsia. Baby was hospitalized for 3 months, on a vent, etc. Mom exclusively pumped and never was able to get baby to breast. She was very anxious to breastfeed this baby. This pregnancy went better, but she developed worsening BP, and intrauterine growth retardation. We finally induced at 38 weeks as baby was apparently no longer growing. So mom had IV fluids, pitocin, then narcotics during labor. Baby was just 38 weeks, only 5 lbs. Perfect set up for difficulty with getting going with breastfeeding. However, this baby is one of the best nursers I have ever seen! Latched immediately after birth like an old pro, and nurses beautifully. Lost only 2 oz during hospital stay. Mom is delighted, and it was very cheering to see such a vigorous baby! Now if I can just convince her husband that the world won't end if her 11 yr old step-son sees her breastfeeding . . . Jennifer Tieman, MD Family Physician Mom to 3, and new baby #4 expected 5/31/03 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html